Notes Ban Nothing Less Than Huge Scam, Says Rahul Gandhi
Our Correspondent / New Delhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi today said that demonetisation was not a mistake but an attack on citizens to help big business houses. Addressing Media Rahul Gandhi here today said: “Notebandi is nothing less than a huge scam,” adding that “You apologise for a mistake, but PM Modi did this deliberately,” he said.
The Congress chief said “the intention was very clear” and the exercise was to help 15-20 crony capitalists. “It was to help the richest, most corrupt change their money from black to white”.
The Prime Minister had done what had not been done in the last 70 years, said Mr Gandhi. “He did it and devastated the economy (through demonetisation).”
Congress president said at a press conference a day after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in its annual report that over 99 per cent of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes banned by PM Modi in the November 2016 demonetisation have returned to the banking system.
The central bank’s annual report says only a fraction of the currency was left out of the system after the unprecedented notes ban aimed at checking black money and corruption – an exercise that cost the government Rs. 8,000 crore.
LIVE: Press briefing by CP @RahulGandhi and @rssurjewala. #ModiDemonetisationScam https://t.co/AbMd2IvxUk
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 30, 2018
RBI’s report said of the Rs. 15.41 crore worth of 500 and 1,000-rupee notes taken out of circulation, notes worth Rs. 15.31 lakh crore have been returned. This means Rs. 10,720 crore of the junked currency did not return to the banking system.
On Rafale deal Rahul also took on the government on the Rafale fighter jet deal, questioning why an aircraft costing around Rs. 520 crore was bought at Rs. 1,600 crore.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, defending demonetization in his blog, said it led to formalisation of economy, more tax collection and higher growth.
Mr Jaitley asserted that the “larger purpose” of demonetisation was to move India from a tax non-compliant society to a tax-compliant society.
“Mr Jaitley, thanks for bringing the nation’s attention back to the great RAFALE robbery ! How about a Joint Parliamentary Committee to sort it out? Problem is, your Supreme Leader is protecting his friend, so this may be inconvenient. Do check & revert in 24 hrs. We’re waiting!” said Rhul